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DNR lists top 10 fishing violations

The latest list of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) “Top Ten Fishing Violations” is a reminder to anglers to follow the rules and refer to the 2009 Minnesota Fishing Regulations handbook as the state’s fishing season gets underway May 9.

Conservation officers issued 3,115 citations and 4,727 warnings to resident and non-resident anglers last year, which is comparable to past fishing seasons.

Topping the list of the most-frequent violation is not having a fishing license in possession. This violation resulted in conservation officers issuing 2,259 warnings or 240 citations last year to resident and non-resident anglers.

Number two on the list is having no fishing license at all. Conservation officers issued 925 citations and 399 warnings last year.

Some other ranked categories that made the list of frequent fishing violations include:

Improperly/not marked fish house

Fishing with an extra line

Overlimit

Unattended line

Exceed length limit

Fish house left on ice after deadline

Closed season

Under length limit

“There is still a need for education since these seem to be the most common violations encountered by conservation officers year after year,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement chief. “Sometimes the excitement of ‘wetting a line’ causes anglers to be forgetful or take shortcuts.”